Afghanistan

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their contribution to the Afghanistan Reintegration Programme; and what assessment they have made of any procedure for vetting insurgents before participation.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have contributed £5 million to the Peace and Reintegration Fund, set up to support the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme (APRP). The APRP makes clear provision for the vetting of all candidates for reintegration. This is led by Provincial Reintegration Committees and includes interviews, the collection of biometric data and analysis of the results by Afghan Government Ministries and the International Security Assistance Force.

Afghanistan: Opiate Poppy Production

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their plans for eradication of opiate poppy production in Afghanistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Opium poppy eradication policy is owned and conducted by the Afghan Government, as set out in its National Drug Control Strategy. This strategy makes clear that it is for the governors of the individual poppy-growing provinces to carry out eradication.
	UK and coalition forces do not directly eradicate opium poppy themselves, but assist the Afghan Government by providing logistical support (ensuring the eradication teams can carry out their tasks) and targeting support (ensuring that eradication is only aimed at those farmers who have access to genuine alternatives to poppy).

Afghanistan: Opiate Poppy Production

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the coalition strategy in Afghanistan includes trials of legal opiate poppy production.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Neither the UK nor its coalition partners have plans to trial legal opiate poppy production in Afghanistan. This is because the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) report of 2010 stated that the planned production of licit opiates in licensed countries for 2011 will be sufficient to cover medical demands during the year and increase stocks.
	Additionally, the Afghan Government accept that they do not have the capacity to administer a licit cultivation scheme. There is a high chance that any licit cultivation of poppy would be diverted for illicit purposes. Furthermore, Afghan opium would not be economically competitive in the global market place.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what European Union resources are available for the reception and resettlement in Italy of Tunisians and other African migrants reaching Lampedusa and elsewhere in Italy.

Lord Howell of Guildford: For 2011 Italy has been provisionally allocated €7.7million from the European Refugee Fund. Priorities under this fund include reception, integration, resettlement, co-operation between member states and research.
	The European Asylum Support Office has the potential to support Italy through the deployment of Asylum Support Teams made up of member state experts, as it is already beginning to do in Greece.

Bahrain

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the political and human rights situation in Bahrain.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are pleased that the immediate situation in Bahrain has calmed but urge the Government of Bahrain to focus on the need for a long-term political solution. All parties should seek to create the conditions for the establishment of a national dialogue.
	We are clear that the Government of Bahrain and the security forces should respect the civil rights of peaceful protestors, the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and access to medical care for all. We also expect the Bahraini authorities to treat detainees in accordance with the law and with internationally accepted standards.
	We are concerned by reports from Amnesty International of harassment by Bahraini security forces. This is a time to build bridges between the different religious communities in Bahrain. We urge the Bahraini Government to show real leadership in promoting tolerance and equal access to justice. This will be essential if meaningful and inclusive political dialogue is to be possible.

Bahrain

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received reports of torture being used in interior ministry detention centres in Bahrain.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have received reports that torture was used in Bahrain's Ministry of Interior detention facilities from Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch report Torture Redux. We also received a report that an individual, arrested on 16 March 2011 and currently still in detention, may have been tortured. We are looking into this report.
	The Government believe that torture is unacceptable under any circumstances. We regularly encourage the Government of Bahrain, at the highest level, to meet all its human rights obligations, demonstrate transparency and follow due process in the investigation of alleged offences committed against those who have been detained. The Government of Bahrain have assured us that there is zero tolerance for torture in Bahraini detention facilities.
	It is vital now that the Bahrain Government take measures that create the conditions for the establishment of a national dialogue that will lead to real reforms.

Burma

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the new Government in Burma.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The inauguration of Burma's new government, announced on 30 March 2011, does not disguise the fact that the military continue to dominate, with the vast majority of senior positions taken up by military or ex-military personnel. National reconciliation in Burma cannot be achieved while key stakeholders, particularly Aung San Suu Kyi and a number of ethnic groups, remain excluded from the political process and whilst over 2,000 political prisoners remain in jail.

Death Penalty

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to foreign governments about reducing the numbers awaiting the death penalty.

Lord Howell of Guildford: It is the longstanding policy of the UK to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We regularly make representations to governments to abolish the death penalty. Countries we have lobbied include our top five priority countries and regions: China, Iran, the US, Belarus and the English-speaking Caribbean region. We have also raised the death penalty in a number of our other priority countries, as outlined in our HMG Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty published in October 2010.
	The specific information requested about representations on reducing the numbers awaiting the death penalty is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) project work has contributed to a reduction in the numbers awaiting the death penalty. For example, in Uganda 167 death row inmates had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment as a result of project work funded by the FCO in 2010.

Deputy Prime Minister's Office

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Deputy Prime Minister's office cost between May 1997 and April 1998.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on travel for the Deputy Prime Minister between May 1997 and April 1998.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on security for the Deputy Prime Minister between May 1997 and April 1998.

Baroness Hanham: In 1997-98 the Deputy Prime Minister was also the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions. The costs of his office were included within the running costs of DETR and cannot be separately identified.

Diplomatic Missions: State Recognition

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 2 February (WA 266) concerning the criteria for recognition of a state, in what way the Vatican City meets the criteria in the area of human rights.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Support for human rights is at the core of our foreign policy and will remain so. However, human rights issues are not necessarily a criterion for recognition of a state.

Egypt

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Egypt to ensure that (a) suspects are treated humanely and fairly, and (b) arrested persons are afforded legal advice when brought before the military tribunals or criminal courts.

Lord Howell of Guildford: It is a priority of this Government to promote human rights in a pragmatic and effective way, and we raise our concerns wherever and whenever it is appropriate to do so. We have continued to urge the Egyptian authorities to respect fully human rights and democratic freedoms, including the rights of all detainees. During his visit to Egypt on 21 February 2011, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister called on the Government to release all political prisoners and end the state of emergency. We have raised our concerns with the authorities about the mistreatment of protesters, journalists and human rights defenders. We welcome the nationwide investigation launched by the Egyptian Public Prosecutors' Office into the killing and injury of protestors during the recent demonstrations, and we have encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ratify the Optional Protocol on the Convention Against Torture and to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit the country.

Egypt

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Egypt to ensure women are fully involved in the discussions on the country's future.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We want to see a genuinely inclusive, broad based political dialogue taking place in Egypt, which includes women, as well as other presently underrepresented groups, in the reform process. Our embassy in Cairo raises the issue of women's participation in discussions on the country's future and its governance with the Egyptian authorities.
	We are assisting the transition in Egypt through a variety of programmes, including supporting the development of civil society, political parties and the electoral process, through technical advice and by building links between organisations in Egypt and the UK. These will of course include references to the experience of women in civil society and politics in both countries.

Egypt

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the result of the Egyptian referendum on constitutional reform.

Lord Howell of Guildford: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Alistair Burt, made a statement on 21 March 2011 welcoming Egypt's referendum on constitutional amendments which took place on 19 March 2011. It was an important part of the transition to a civilian-led democratic Government which the Egyptian authorities have committed to undertake. It has fostered debate on an important issue. The peaceful atmosphere and the high turnout of the referendum demonstrated the confidence the Egyptian people had in the integrity of the process. We continue to encourage the Egyptian Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with all opposition and activist groups.
	We also welcome the further clarity on the transitional process brought by the constitutional declaration of 30 March 2011. However, we continue to encourage the Egyptian authorities to undertake wider constitutional reform in due course.

Egypt

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the transitional Government in Egypt regarding the independence of the judiciary and upholding of the rule of law.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government support a democratic transition and political reform that meets the aspirations of the Egyptian people. We are discussing with the Egyptian authorities how we can support the transition bilaterally, including assistance for constitutional reform and to improve the administration of justice. We continue to engage with the Egyptian authorities on human rights issues and on the importance of due judicial process and the rule of law. We also support the EU offer of short-term transitional assistance, which could include legislative reform, institutional capacity building and training in the justice sector.

Egypt

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the transitional Government in Egypt on the importance of free and fair trials.

Lord Howell of Guildford: During his visit to Egypt on 21 February 2011, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister called on the Egyptian authorities to release all political prisoners and end the state of emergency. Throughout the protests, we raised our concerns with the authorities about the mistreatment of protesters, journalists and human rights defenders. We welcome the nationwide investigation launched by the Egyptian Public Prosecutors' Office into the killing and injury of protestors during the demonstrations.
	It is a priority of this Government to promote human rights. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the member for North East Bedfordshire raised a wide range of human rights issues during his visit to Egypt on 9-11 March 2011. We continue to urge the Egyptian authorities to fully respect human rights and democratic freedoms, including the right of fair trial for all suspects.

Egypt

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (a) the Government of Egypt, (b) the European Union, and (c) the United Nations regarding the arrest, detention, restrictions on travel or freezing of assets of businessmen and politicians associated with the previous regime in Egypt occurring since the installation of the transitional government in Egypt.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Egyptian authorities have provided us, and other countries, with a list of names in relation to freezing the assets of several members of the former regime. UK and Egyptian officials have discussed this. The Chancellor of the Exchequer discussed asset freezing measures with European Union finance ministers at the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) on 15 February 2011, in Brussels. On 21 March 2011 at the Foreign Affairs Council the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) and other EU Ministers agreed to freeze the assets of a number of individuals identified by the Egyptian authorities. The UK has taken prompt domestic action to implement the EU law and freeze identified assets. These measures entered into force on 22 March 2011 and remain in place. There have been no discussions at the UN.

Egypt

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the European Union and other member states about the importance of the rule of law, human rights and due process as part of future trade and economic relations between Egypt and the European Union.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is closely engaged with the EU about the situation in Egypt. We are working to secure an EU package of short-term transitional support for Egypt, and await a formal request for assistance from the Egyptian authorities to take this forward. This package includes potential assistance in the areas of human rights, good governance, justice and security sector reform.
	More broadly, the UK and Germany have been leading calls for a transformation partnership with the EU's neighbours to the south. A key part of this is a reformed European Neighbourhood Policy which offers strong incentives to reform, based on closer economic integration and improved market access, in return for concrete progress on economic and political reform.

Egypt

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the United Nations and the African Union to ensure that due process, human rights and the rule of law are respected in Egypt.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome the visit to Egypt by a delegation of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) which took place from 27 March 2011 to 4 April 2011. Our embassy in Cairo met the delegation following their meetings with representatives from the Egyptian Government, judiciary and civil society to discuss the human rights situation in Egypt. We welcome the commitments expressed by government representatives to the OHCHR delegation to institutionalize respect for human rights, including through the ratification of several human rights treaties or their optional protocols, and through engagement with the independent UN human rights experts. We support the UN initiative to establish a regional office for OHCHR in Cairo, to advise on internal as well as regional human rights issues.
	During the Universal Periodic Review on Egypt at the Human Rights Council in February 2010, we raised a number of human rights concerns, including the need to lift the state of emergency, and to amend legislation in the areas of freedom of expression, association, assembly and religion to ensure full compatibility with Egypt's international obligations.
	We have not had recent contact with the African Union about the human rights situation in Egypt.

Equality

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the cross-ministerial group on equalities has discussed the Government's decision to re-draft and re-open consultation on the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.

Baroness Verma: The Inter-Ministerial Group on Equalities meets quarterly to review progress on equality and implementation of the Government's Equality Strategy, published on 2 December 2010. In order to enable a free exchange of views between Ministers, details of discussion are not published.

EU: Directives and Regulations

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government which European Union directives and regulations are currently extant.

Lord Howell of Guildford: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The noble Lord may be interested in the House of Commons Library publication: How much legislation comes from Europe? (Research paper 10/62).

EU: Law

Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what infraction cases have been brought by the European Union against the United Kingdom Government in the past 10 years; and what was the total fine imposed in each case.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The EU has brought 78 infraction cases against the UK in the past 10 years. A list of these cases is attached. No fines have been imposed during this period.
	
		
			 1. C-454/99 COMMISSION v UK Failure to comply with obligations under Article 5(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 170/83 of 25 January 1983 
			 2. C-35/00 COMMISSION v UK Directives 75/442, 91/689 and 94/62 concerning waste 
			 3. C-140/00 COMMISSION v UK Overfishing for the years 1991 to 1996 
			 4. C-427/00 COMMISSION v UK Article 3 of Directive 76/160 - Quality of Bathing Waters 
			 5. C-441/00 COMMISSION v UK Failure to comply with Council Directive 96/48/EC of 23 July 1996 
			 6. C-39/01 COMMISSION v UK Failure to comply with Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 
			 7. C-85/01 COMMISSION v UK Commission's application under Article 228 EC concerning a failure to comply with the judgment of the Court of 14 July 1993 in case C56/90. 
			 8. C-98/01 COMMISSION v UK Application under Article 226 EC seeking a declaration that the provisions setting a limitation in voting shares in BAA PLC are incompatible with Articles 43 and 56 of the EC Treaty. 
			 9. C-373/01 COMMISSION v UK Infraction regarding non-implementation of Directive on batteries in NI and Gibraltar. Case has been stayed pending C30/01. 
			 10. C-374/01 COMMISSION v UK Non-implementation case on Directive re biocidal products. Now implemented. Await to hear that Commission will withdraw. Extension granted to 11 March 2002. Case stayed pending C30/01. 
			 11. C-434/01 COMMISSION v UK 
			 12. C-489/01 COMMISSION v UK Failure to implement Directive 97/9 on investor-compensation schemes 
			 13. C-52/02 COMMISSION v UK Article 226 EC seeking a declaration that the UK has failed to comply with Directive 2000/71 relating to technical progress. Case stayed pending judgment in C30/01. 
			 14. C-62/02 COMMISSION v UK Failure to comply with Directive 1999/94 relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars or, in any event by failing to notify such provisions to the Commission. 
			 15. C-210/02 COMMISSION v UK Council Directive 97/43/Euratom; ionizing radiation; repeal of Directive 84/466/Euratom 
			 16. C-218/02 COMMISSION v UK Failure to comply with Council Directive 96/29/Euratom; ionizing radiation 
			 17. C-305/02 COMMISSION v UK Failing to fulfil obligations under Directive 2000/21/EC by failing to adopt all the laws, regulations or administrative provisions necessary to comply with Directive. Stayed pending determination of C30/01. 
			 18. C-310/02 COMMISSION v UK Failing to comply in Gibraltar with Directive 1998/98 relating to classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances; failing to notify such provisions to the Commission thereby failing fully to fulfil obligations under Article 2 of the Directive N: it appears that Directive has not been implemented in Gibraltar as it is based on Article 95 EC. 
			 19. C-331/02 COMMISSION v UK Directive 1999/30/EC relating to the limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air: application by Commission under Article 226 EC seeking declaration that UK has failed in Gibraltar to adopt measures to comply with that Directive 
			 20. C-332/02 COMMISSION v UK Article 226 EC; Directive 1999/130/EC: limitation of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents: failure of UK to adopt necessary measures. 
			 21. C-405/02 COMMISSION v UK Application under Article 226 EC Treaty seeking declaration that by failing to adopt laws, regulations or administrative provision nec. to comply with Directive 99/42/EC or in any even by failing to communicate them to the Commission, the UK has failed fully to fulfil its obligations under that Directive. 
			 22. C-421/02 COMMISSION v UK Application under Article 226 EC seeking declaration concerning Article 4(2) of Directive 85/337 on assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment as amended by Directive 97/11 in relation to projects listed in Annex 11, para 1(b) and 1(c) of that Directive; implementation of that Directive. 
			 23. C-423/02 COMMISSION v UK Application under Article 226 EC seeking a declaration against the UK concerning Directive 1999/31 on the landfill of waste; Directive not fully implemented: Regulations England & Wales re Articles 5.1 and 5.2; Regulations Scotland to implement Directive; Legislative & secondary regulations in NI to implement Directive; an Ordinance in Gibraltar to implement the Directive. 
			 24. C-424/02 COMMISSION v UK Commission's application under Article 226 EC seeking a declaration against UK re Article 3(1) of Directive 75/439 re processing of waste oils by regeneration as amended by Directive 87/101 on waste oils. 
			 25. C-431/02 COMMISSION v UK Application by Commission under Article 226 seeking declaration that UK has failed to adopt the necessary measurers to comply with Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste. 
			 26. C-458/02 COMMISSION v UK Application under Article 226 EC Treaty re implementation of Article 8(2) of Directive 92/100 on rental right and lending right and on certain rights related to copyright. 
			 27. C-61/03 COMMISSION v UK The UK's alleged failure to supply information under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty in respect of the decommissioning of the Jason reactor at Greenwich; the application of this provision to radioactive waste coming from a military installation. 
			 28. C-62/03 COMMISSION v UK Applications under Article 226 for a declaration that the UK has failed to fulfil its obligations under Directive 75/442/EEC on waste as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC. 
			 29. C-33/03 COMMISSION v UK Sixth VAT Directive; granting a right to deduct VAT on certain supplies of road fuel to non-taxable persons. 
			 30. C-277/03 COMMISSION v UK Failure to implement Directive 2000/53/EC (end of life vehicles) 
			 31. C-305/03 COMMISSION v UK 
			 32. C-349/03 COMMISSION v UK 's failure to implement in Gibraltar Council Directive 77/799/EEC concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of the Member States in the field of direct and indirect taxation. 
			 33. C-483/03 COMMISSION v UK Non-implementation of Council Directive 2001/12/EC, 2001/13/EC and 2001/14/EC on the development of the Community's railways and licensing of railway undertakings and levying of charges 
			 34. C-508/03 COMMISSION v UK Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. 
			 35. C-6/04 COMMISSION v UK Council Directive 92/43/EC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora 
			 36. C-64/04 COMMISSION v UK Alleged failure to withdraw the fishing licenses of the CLEOPATRA and OCEAN QUEST following their transfer to Argentina. The licences were allegedly sold, thus violating Article 5 of Regulation EC (3690/93 of 20 December 1993) 
			 37. C-65/04 COMMISSION v UK Article 5(3) of Council Directive 89/618/Euratom on informing the general public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency 
			 38. C-88/04 COMMISSION v UK Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society 
			 39. C-98/04 COMMISSION v UK Failure to ensure the correct application of obligations under Articles 2(1) and 4 of the EIA Directive (Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects off certain public and private projects on the environment) 
			 40. C-164/04 COMMISSION v UK Non-implementation of Directive 2001/17/EC of 19 March 2001 (concerning the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings) in relation to Lloyd's (TM) or Gibraltar 
			 41. C-199/04 COMMISSION v UK Alleged failure to take all the necessary measures to implement Articles 2-6 and 8-9 inclusive of Council Directive 1985/337/EC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997. 
			 42. C-385/04 COMMISSION v UK The alleged failure of the UK to implement Directive 2001/16/EC in the UK, concerning the interoperability of the trans-European conventional rail system 
			 43. C-455/04 COMMISSION v UK Alleged failure of the UK to implement Council Directive 2001/55/EC concerning minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and measures promoting a balance between Member States in receiving those persons and bearing the resulting consequences. 
			 44. C-484/04 COMMISSION v UK The United Kingdom's alleged failure to comply with the Working Time Directive 93/10/EC of 23 November 1993 in respect of: (i) the application of the derogation under Article 17(1) to workers whose working time is partially not measured or predetermined or can be determined by the worker himself; and (ii) in failing to adopt adequate measures for the implementation of the rights to daily and weekly rest. 
			 45. C-505/04 COMMISSION v UK Failure to implement in Gibraltar Directive 2001/19/EC amending directives on recognition of professional qualifications concerning nurses, dentists, veterinary surgeons, midwives, architects, pharmacists and doctors. 
			 46. C-37/05 COMMISSION v UK Alleged failure by the UK and Northern Ireland to correctly implement the requirements of Articles 2(1) and 4 of the Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of certain public and private projects on the environment as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC. 
			 47. C-126/05 COMMISSION v UK An alleged failure by the UK to implement Directive 2000/34/EC of 22 June 2000 amending Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover sectors and activities excluded from that Directive. 
			 48. C-127/05 COMMISSION v UK (SFAIRP) Infraction proceedings against the UK concerning the incorrect implementation of Council Directive 89/391 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the health and safety of workers at work. 
			 49. C-131/05 COMMISSION v UK The Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). 
			 50. C-236/05 COMMISSION v UK The persistent late transmission by the UK of certain data required under legislation governing fisheries, namely Article 19i, first and third indents, of Council Regulation 2847/93. 
			 51. C-323/05 COMMISSION v UK The alleged failure by the UK to implement Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety. 
			 52. C-405/05 COMMISSION v UK An application by the Commission that the UK has failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 4(1) and (3) of Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning waste water treatment by failing to ensure that adequate treatment is provided for urban waste waters from various agglomerations in the UK and Northern Ireland. 
			 53. C-138/06 COMMISSION v UK The alleged failure of the UK to implement Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. 
			 54. C-139/06 COMMISSION v UK An alleged failure to implement Directives 2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. 
			 55. C-155/06 COMMISSION v UK An alleged failure of the UK to properly implement Article 53 of Council Directive 96/29/Euratom, laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation, because of the lack of provisions allowing for appropriate intervention in all situations of lasting exposure to ionizing radiation resulting from the after effects of a radiological emergency or a past practice. 
			 56. C-247/07 COMMISSION v UK An application pursuant to Article 226 TEC against the UK for failing to implement Directive 2003/35/EC (providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment). The Commission argues that the UK has not informed the Commission of all the provisions it has adopted and brought into force to comply with the Directive and therefore concludes that the UK has not adopted all the provisions necessary to implement the Directive. 
			 57. C-367/06 COMMISSION v UK Failure to implement Directive 2003/41/EC (on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision). 
			 58. C-390/07 COMMISSION v UK (URBAN WATER WASTE) An infraction against the United Kingdom for failure to implement Council Directive 91/271 concerning urban waste water treatment. 
			 59. C-122/08 COMMISSION v UK An action under Article 226 EC for failure to implement Directive 2004/38 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, in relation to Gibraltar. 
			 60. C-186/09 COMMISSION v UK An application by the Commission for a declaration that by failing to adopt or notify the measures necessary to comply with Directive 2004/113/EC (implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services), the United Kingdom failed to fulfil its obligations under the Directive. The action relates to non-implementation in Gibraltar. 
			 61. C-187/09 COMMISSION v UK An application for a declaration that by failing to adopt or notify measures necessary to comply with Directive 2006/40/EC relating to emissions from air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles, the UK has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Directive. 
			 62. C-256/08 COMMISSION v UK The alleged failure of the UK to implement Council Directive 2004/83/EC (on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted). 
			 63. C-284/08 COMMISSION v UK Infraction proceedings against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for failing to implement the 'Unfair Commercial Practices Directive' (Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market, and amending Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and 2002/65/EC and Regulation EC No 2006/2004). The Commission alleges that it has not received further information from the UK in connection with the transposition of the Directive in the territory of Gibraltar, so it has no evidence to show the measures necessary for the transposition have been finally taken. 
			 64. C-312/08 COMMISSION v UK The United Kingdom's alleged failure to implement Directive 2006/100/EC adapting certain Directives in the field of free movement of persons by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. The Commission submit that the United Kingdom provide information about various measures adopted for the transposition of the Directive, however, not all measures with regard to Gibraltar had been taken. 
			 65. C-346/08 COMMISSION v UK An alleged failure by the United Kingdom to ensure compliance with Directive 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants in relation to Alcan's power plant and aluminium production site in Lynemouth. 
			 66. C-367/08 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that by failing to transpose and/or notify the transposition in the territory of Gibraltar of Directive 2006/22/EC on minimum conditions for the implementation of Regulations 3820/85/EEC and 3821/85/EEC concerning social legislation relating to road transport activities, the United Kingdom has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty. 
			 67. C-417/08 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that the UK has failed to transpose Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage. 
			 68. C-457/08 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that the United Kingdom has failed to transpose Directive 2005/14/EC relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles within the territory of Gibraltar 
			 69. C-495/08 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that the United Kingdom has failed to fulfil its obligations under Directive 85/337/EEC 
			 70. C-527/08 COMMISSION v UK An Application to declare that by failing to transpose Directive 2005/65/EC on enhancing port security or in any event by failing to notify transposing provisions to the Commission, the United Kingdom has failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 18 of that Directive. 
			 71. C-556/08 COMMISSION v UK The alleged failure on the part of the United Kingdom to implement Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications in respect of Gibraltar or, in any event, to notify the Commission of implementation. 
			 72. C-557/08 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that the United Kingdom has failed to transpose Directive 2005/35/EC on ship source pollution. 
			 73. C-582/08 COMMISSION v UK An application for a declaration that by denying recovery of input tax in respect of certain transactions carried out by taxable persons not established in the territory of the EC, the United Kingdom has failed to comply with its obligations under Articles 169, 170 and 171 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax and with Article 2(1) of the Thirteenth VAT Directive 86/560/EEC on the harmonisation of the laws of the member states relating to turnover taxes. 
			 74. C-259/09 COMMISSION v UK The management of waste from extractive industries. Infringement proceedings have been brought against the UK for non-implementation of Directive 2006/21/EC or, in the alternative, for failure to notify the Commission of the provisions it has adopted to comply with the Directive. The Directive provides for measures, procedures and guidance to prevent or reduce any adverse effects on the environment and human health brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries. Mining Waste. 
			 75. C-394/09 COMMISSION v UK An application by the Commission under Article 226 EC for a declaration that the UK has failed to fulfil its obligations under Directive 2005/33/EC (as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels) by failing to implement the Directive or failing to notify the Commission of implementation. The UK decided to implement the "land-based" aspects separately from the "marine-based" aspects. The Commission's case is that neither the land-based aspects nor the marine-based aspects have been implemented in respect of Gibraltar and in addition that the marine-based aspects have not been implemented in respect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 
			 76. C-545/09 COMMISSION v UK An application for a declaration that article 12(4)(a) of the Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools means that teachers seconded by a member state have access to the same progression in status and pay as those enjoyed by teachers employed in that member state. 
			 77. C-301/10 COMMISSION v UK An application to declare that by failing to ensure that appropriate collecting systems pursuant to Articles 3(1) and (2) and Annex 1(A) to Directive 91/271//EEC concerning urban waste water treatment are in place in Whitburn and the Beckton and Crossness collecting systems in London 
			 78. C-86/11 COMMISSION v UK Commission's Application relating to this case which seeks a declaration that, by permitting non-taxable persons to be members of a VAT group (i.e. a single taxable person for VAT purposes) pursuant to sections 43(1) and 43A (as amended) of VATA 1994, the UK has failed to comply with its obligations under Articles 9 and 11 of the Principal VAT Directive. The Application follows a formal letter from the Commission of 18 September 2008, and a Reasoned Opinion of 20 November 2009.

European Union Bill [HL]

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 24 January (WA 117), why they changed the explanatory notes for Clause 18 of the European Union Bill by removing the reference to the common law recognition of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Clause 18 of the EU Bill is not intended to express any view on the origin of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty but is concerned with reaffirming the basis upon which directly effective and applicable EU law is given effect within the UK domestic legal order. The Government amended the Explanatory Notes to Clause 18 of the EU Bill ahead of the Bill's First Reading in the House of Lords to remove the references to common law principle. This was in response to concerns raised in the other place, both during the course of the consideration of the EU Bill and most notably by the European Scrutiny Committee in its inquiry report on Clause 18, that such references might be considered to be determinative of the origin of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. The evidence submitted to the European Scrutiny Committee from a variety of distinguished constitutional academics demonstrated that the origin of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty is subject to debate, and is an issue on which opinion remains divided.

Falkland Islands: Minefields

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 4 April (WA 332-3), what is their estimate of the number of landmines still to be cleared in the Falkland Islands.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We estimate there to be over 15,600 landmines (12,300 anti-personnel and 3,300 anti-vehicle) remaining on the Falkland Islands following the 1982 conflict.
	All mined areas are fenced and clearly marked and pose no humanitarian danger or hamper economic development. In addition, community education on the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance is in place.

Government Departments: Staff

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff employed in Government Offices for the Regions at the date of the announcement of the abolition of the offices have been or will be made redundant; and what are the total costs of redundancy or severance payments.

Baroness Hanham: To date no staff in the former Government Offices for the Regions have been made compulsorily redundant. A total of 436 redundancy notices have been issued, with a notice period up to the end of September 2011 in the majority of cases. It is anticipated that over 200 of those staff who have been served with compulsory notices will leave either on a voluntary basis or be confirmed in other posts. Efforts to redeploy the remaining staff will continue throughout the notice period.
	In July last year the Department for Communities and Local Government announced the closure of the eight Government Offices for the Regions across England. The measures are central to the Government's wider aims of transferring power from central government to councils and communities and the closure is expected to deliver savings of up to £200 million over the spending review period. These savings are net of estimated projected cost of voluntary redundancy payments is £32.18 million and that for compulsory redundancies is £10.3 million.

Government Departments: Staff

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have established, or will introduce, cross-departmental teams based in regions to inform departments of the impact of Government policies; and, if so, how many members of staff will be based in each region.

Baroness Hanham: The abolition of the Government Offices for the Regions is part of the coalition Government's decentralisation of powers down to local councils and local communities. Their closure is expected to deliver savings of up to £200 million over the spending review period.
	In closing the Government Offices for the Regions we have been clear that formal arrangements of this sort at a regional level are unnecessary and do nothing to support the empowerment of localities and communities.

Gulf War Illnesses

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Statement by Lord Astor of Hever on 31 March (WS 113), how many service men and women lost a limb or limbs, or were left with another long-term illness or disability, arising from service in the first Gulf War.

Lord Astor of Hever: Information on injuries sustained in the first Gulf War is not centrally compiled.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether state visits to the United Kingdom by the President of the Republic of Ireland always begin in London.

Lord Howell of Guildford: A state visit to the United Kingdom by the President of the Republic of Ireland does not necessarily always begin in London. State visits can begin in a number of locations; for instance, the Pope's recent visit to the United Kingdom began in Edinburgh.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the President of the Republic of Ireland has officially visited the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The President of the Republic of Ireland has not officially visited the United Kingdom in the last five years.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much each visit by the President of the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom in the past five years has cost.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The President of the Republic of Ireland has visited the UK a total of 16 times over the past five years. All of these have been either private or working visits and none was as a guest of Her Majesty's Government. Therefore no programme or organisational costs have fallen to the Government. As with many other heads of state, President McAleese receives police protection when in this country. For security reasons we do not comment on the costs of individual protection operations.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the President of the United States will be visiting Northern Ireland when he visits the Republic of Ireland in May.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Details of President Obama's visit to Ireland have not been publicly disclosed. The arrangements for that visit are a matter for the Irish and US Governments. In connection with President Obama's state visit to the United Kingdom from 24 to 26 May 2011, we have had no discussions with the US Government about a visit to Northern Ireland.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the protocol for the visit of the President of the United States to the United Kingdom is the same as for all heads of state.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The President of the United States has been offered the same protocol arrangements available to all heads of state visiting the United Kingdom on a state visit.

Iraq: Camp Al Waled

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Iraq about the condition of 1,300 Palestinian refugees being held in camp Al Waled.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK Government have not made specific representations to the Government of Iraq about the conditions of the Palestinian residents in Camp Al Waled. However, on 5 April 2011 embassy officials discussed the situation with the International Committee of the Red Cross. We understand that many residents are leaving for resettlement in third countries and only around 600 remain.
	Our embassy officials in Baghdad regularly discuss human rights issues with senior members of the Iraqi Government, and raise concerns when appropriate.

Isles of Scilly

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what new evidence and information became available between December 2010 when ministers reconfirmed conditional approval for the proposed Isles of Scilly Sea Link and 31 March 2011 which caused ministers to withdraw support from the scheme.

Earl Attlee: The Isles of Scilly Link scheme was granted conditional approval in 2007. There was no subsequent reconfirmation of conditional approval nor any funding decision on the scheme until the decision on 31 March 2011 not to provide funding for the scheme proposed by Cornwall Council.

Isles of Scilly

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, when they provided funding for the present "Scillonian" ferry, they required the operator to set up a sinking fund to provide for a replacement ferry; and, if so, what is the current value of the fund; and what expenditure, if any, has been authorised.

Earl Attlee: I regret that the Department for Transport no longer holds any information on the details of any Government support for the construction of the "Scillonian III" in the 1970s.
	We have found no evidence that there was any requirement for the establishment of a sinking fund.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the passage of the Nakba Bill through the Israeli Knesset, and the impact of this upon freedom of speech.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We attach great importance to the civil liberties laid down in Israel's founding documents, including freedom of speech. As stated in our recent Human Rights Command Paper, we remain concerned by a growing climate of intolerance in Israel, which is exacerbated by Knesset bills like the Naqba Bill referred to in the question.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the revolution in Egypt on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Egypt has played an important role in the Middle East peace process and its peace agreement with Israel is vital to regional stability. We welcome commitments made by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and interim Government in Egypt that Egypt will abide by its international and regional treaty obligations, including the peace treaty with Israel. We believe that recent events across the Middle East have heightened the urgency of making progress on the Middle East peace process, and continue to urge all parties concerned to return to negotiations based on clear parameters as soon as possible.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel on the operational freedom of local and international non-governmental organisations in the Palestinian Territories and Israel.

Lord Howell of Guildford: On 21 February the Knesset passed a transparency law requiring greater disclosure by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) funded by foreign Governments. The law requires that such NGOs must submit and publish quarterly returns of such funding.
	The initial draft of the law included significant restrictions upon the ability of NGOs to accept support from Government. These points have been removed from the final version.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv and our consulate general in Jerusalem have had contacts with a number of non-governmental organisations on these issues. We understand that the new law is likely to have limited impact upon their organisations.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent increase in settler violence in the West Bank as documented by the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel to prevent such violence.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are following closely the recent increase in settler violence in the West Bank. It is important that the Israeli Government meet their obligations as an occupying power to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians and to deal transparently, impartially and effectively with criminal acts carried out by extreme members of the settler movement.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right honourable Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) also condemned the recent murder of a family in Itamar. It was an act of incomprehensible cruelty and brutality and we hope the perpetrator is brought to justice swiftly.
	All those who support a secure future for Israel and a future Palestinian state should be working urgently to restart peace negotiations, not taking steps which make this more difficult.

Ivory Coast

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported killing of 800 people in Duekoue, Ivory Coast, and the alleged involvement of the new forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are deeply concerned by the horrific reports of killings in the town of Duekoue in western Ivory Coast. We fully support the swift investigation into all allegations of human rights abuses during this crisis by an international Commission of Inquiry mandated by the UN Human Rights Council. Baroness Amos, the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, visited Duekoue on 5 April and we are seeking an urgent update from the UN on her findings. It is vital that allegations of human rights abuses, by all sides, are urgently and thoroughly investigated. There must be no impunity-those found accountable should face justice.

Kenya

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have given to the Government of Kenya following the fire in Deep Sea settlement in Nairobi.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We were obviously saddened to hear of this fire in one of Nairobi's informal settlements a few weeks ago. We would not have been able to provide any direct assistance, even if we had been asked, as our bilateral focus in Kenya is on other issues, such as education, malaria, maternal mortality and hunger. We would have directed any request instead to the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs emergency response fund, to which the Department for International Development is a leading contributor.

Lebanon

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Hezbollah have sited bunkers for launching missiles adjacent to hospitals and schools south of the Litani river in Lebanon.

Lord Howell of Guildford: International investigations carried out after the 2006 Lebanon Israel war found that Hezbollah often stored and fired weaponry from civilian buildings. There is no reason to believe that Hezbollah would reconsider operating from civilian buildings in any future conflict with Israel. Reports suggest extensive preparations for Hezbollah to fight in built-up areas south of the Litani.
	UN Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1701 calls for a full ceasefire, including no weapons south of the Litani River. We remain concerned by reports of weapons transfers to Hezbollah, including Hezbollah's own claims that it possesses significant military capabilities.
	During his visit to Syria in January, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made clear and firm representations to President Assad and Foreign Minister Muallem on the dangers to the stability of the region in allowing the smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah. My officials continue to raise UN SCR 1701 at a senior level in both Beirut and Damascus.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what possibilities they have explored for mediation between the regime in Tripoli and the leaders of the uprising in Libya.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have encouraged the Gaddafi regime to seek a resolution of the crisis through a process of dialogue with opposition forces, necessary democratic reform and respect for the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Several interlocutors, such as UN Special Envoy for Libya Abdel Elah Al Khatib, are in touch with both sides. But for mediation to play a meaningful role, both sides would have to be prepared to accept it: there are currently no indications of this.

Libya

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are active al-Qaeda cells in Libya; and, if so, what are their plans for dealing with them.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The current extent of al-Qaeda activity in Libya is unclear. However, we have no substantive evidence of involvement in the Libyan internal opposition movement of individuals with an al-Qaeda background. We have been clear that it is essential that the Libyan opposition ensure that they are not infiltrated by al-Qaeda. It is clear from our engagement with the Interim National Council that they are sincere in their wish for an inclusive, democratic Libya which rejects extremism, as shown by their manifesto and public statements rejecting extremist ideas, and committing to combating them in all circumstances and implementing UN Security Council Resolutions on counter-terrorism.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the role of the cross-department stabilisation unit since the commencement of the no-fly zone over Libya; what plans are being made for reconstruction; and how this work is incorporated into cross-department decision-making between the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Stabilisation Unit has played an active role in the UK Government's response to the Libya crisis from an early stage, in facilitating cross-Whitehall planning, providing advice on stabilisation, and resourcing the UK response with experts from the Civilian Stabilisation Group. The planning papers prepared are tri-departmental, informed by and prepared for officials, and sometimes Ministers, from the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. The unit has made preparations to deploy experts to Libya with the United Nations mission, who will be leading on reconstruction and the wider stabilisation response, if and when appropriate.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the United Nations and the European Union about stabilisation within Libya and the wider region.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Planning for international support for stabilisation in Libya and the wider region has been an important aspect of the UK's discussions with the United Nations and the European Union. The Stabilisation Unit has had discussions with a number of United Nations agencies regarding stabilisation within Libya, including the Office of the Secretary General. The Government's Stabilisation Unit provided advice to officials and the Secretary of State for International Development in advance of the London conference on Libya on 29 March, which was attended by United Nations and European Union representatives.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the United Kingdom is able to contribute significantly to post-conflict stabilisation operations in Libya.

Lord Howell of Guildford: As agreed at the London conference on Libya, the post-conflict stabilisation and peace-building effort in Libya will be an international effort, co-ordinated by the UN in support of the Libyan people. The UK has undertaken early cross-Whitehall planning, facilitated by the Stabilisation Unit, focusing on how the UK could support this international effort, in a post-conflict environment. Staff have been deployed to the region to provide stabilisation expertise both on Libya and Arab partnership programmes. The Unit's Civilian Stabilisation Group stands ready to deploy members of its over 1,000-strong civilian reserve to assist in areas such as planning, stabilisation and governance where requested.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are integrating planning between government departments on the Libya crisis; and which departments are involved.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Government inter-departmental planning on the Libya crisis is co-ordinated by the National Security Council sub-committee on Libya, under the chairmanship of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. It is attended by my right honourable friends the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Secretary of State for International Development and the Attorney General. Senior Officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Cabinet Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Intelligence Agency Heads, also routinely attend. Daily official level meetings also take place in the Cabinet Office briefing rooms (COBR) to monitor developments and co-ordinate follow-up work.
	The main, but by no means the only, departments dealing with aspects of the Libya issue include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, HM Treasury and the Department for International Development. The tri-departmental Stabilisation Unit has played an active role in facilitating cross-Whitehall planning discussions, providing expert advice on stabilisation and preparing cross-department planning papers for the National Security Council.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to deploy a Stabilisation Response Team to Libya, in the form envisaged in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are currently exploring a range of options to support an international stabilisation response to the Libya crisis. The option of deploying a Stabilisation Response Team in the form envisaged in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review is one of many options under consideration.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the United Nations and the African Union to co-ordinate humanitarian and stabilisation action in Libya.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government continue to discuss stabilisation activity and planning for Libya with a number of international partners, including multilateral organisations. Discussions across government have been taking place with international organisations to ensure a co-ordinated approach to planning for stabilisation activity in Libya.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have of the presence of al-Qaeda fighters operating alongside rebel militia in Libya; and what assessment they have made of the impact of such evidence on the security of possible arrangements to provide arms to the forces opposing Muammar Gaddafi's troops.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The current extent of al-Qaeda activity in Libya is unclear. However, we have no substantive evidence of involvement in the Libyan internal opposition movement of individuals with an al-Qaeda background. We have been clear that it is important that the Libyan opposition make sure that they are not infiltrated by al-Qaeda. They are very conscious of this. It is clear from our engagement with the Interim National Council that that they are sincere in their wish for an inclusive, democratic Libya which rejects extremism, as shown by their manifesto and public statements rejecting extremist ideas, and committing to combating them in all circumstances and implementing UN Security Council Resolutions on counter-terrorism. But we continue to monitor this situation closely. HM Government are not providing arms for the Libyan Opposition.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to ensure that medical supplies and equipment and personnel are allowed to be unloaded at Misratah in Libya.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Department for International Development (DfID) is aware that several humanitarian agencies have successfully delivered medical assistance into Misratah. DfID-funded medical assistance has reached Misratah through our contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross which is providing medical teams and supplies to assist the war-wounded.
	A Turkish ferry which arrived on 2 April 2011 evacuated 230 wounded people and Médecins Sans Frontières has delivered six tonnes of supplies into the city. International agencies such as these which have accessed Misratah have been working closely with local partners on the ground.
	However the situation in Misratah remains grave. The priority is for humanitarian organisations to have safe access to all war-affected areas, and medical personnel and ambulances need to be allowed to reach the wounded.
	The UK is working with the international community to ensure international humanitarian agencies are provided with unfettered access into Libya to help prevent a humanitarian crisis from developing and to ensure the protection of civilians. We are co-ordinating with other Governments to lobby for access, including joint efforts with the EU. The International Development Secretary has also met with the African Union to press for better access. We are also in close contact with the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Libya, Rashid Kalikov, who has been lobbying both the authorities in Tripoli and the opposition forces.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they and others are taking to establish full inquiries into the fate of persons who have disappeared or gone missing in Libya, in particular Ms Iman al-Obeidi.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We remain concerned by widespread reports of arrests and enforced disappearances of those who have spoken out against the Gaddafi regime in Libya. Enforced disappearance of persons when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. A UK-instigated UN Security Council Resolution (1970) asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor to investigate whether crimes against humanity had been committed in Libya. These investigations began on 3 March 2011. The UK also led a call for a special session of the Human Rights Council, which convened on 25 February 2011, and a resulting resolution which set up an independent commission of inquiry to establish the facts about violations of human rights and to make recommendations, including on holding those responsible to account. We continue to press for full and immediate access to Libya for International Criminal Court investigators and the Human Rights Council's Commission of Inquiry. We call on the Libyan authorities to comply with international human rights and humanitarian law and for those being detained illegally to be released immediately.
	We are aware of the reports about the rape of Iman al-Obeidi and that according to media reports Miss al-Obeidi is no longer detained. If true this crime is another abhorrent example of the crimes committed by Gaddafi's regime and those responsible should be held to account. Her serious claims of mistreatment must be investigated thoroughly and she must also be given access to legal representation.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposals in the Henry Jackson Society's briefing paper Towards a Post-Gaddafi Libya for the stabilisation of Libya.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office welcomes the public debate on this important issue, in which a number of organisations including the Henry Jackson Society are taking part. We would certainly agree with the paper's conclusion that:
	"There can be no question that the most desirable outcome in Libya would be for Colonel Gaddafi to be removed from power as a precursor to the termination of hostilities and the establishment of a democratic and representative government".

Licensing

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether those responsible for venues licensed for the sale of alcohol on the premises under the Licensing Act 2003 who wish to allow dancing to celebrate the Royal Wedding weekend are required to seek authorisation for the provision of entertainment facilities on (a) the venue's premises licence or (b) club premises certificate.

Baroness Rawlings: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport can see no reason why venues should require a separate permission to simply allow customers to sing or dance as they celebrate the Royal Wedding. I am sure that, in interpreting and enforcing licensing laws, local authorities will agree with the Prime Minister that unnecessary regulation should not get in the way of the celebrations. Premises which are already authorised to provide entertainment facilities will, of course, be able to do so during the extended hours under the Order.

Migrant Workers: Arab World

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to secure protection from exploitation for migrant and indigenous domestic workers in the Arab world.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK remains seriously concerned by the treatment of expatriate labour in the Arab world. We raise issues concerning the well-being and safety of migrant and indigenous domestic workers on a regular basis with host Governments. We will continue to do so.
	For example, as noted in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights and Democracy report of 2010, in Saudi Arabia the UK raised the issues faced by foreign labour with the Saudi Government, the Shura Council and the media throughout 2010. In December, our embassy in Riyadh attended a conference on the issue organised by the governmental Human Rights Commission, which brought together government agencies and the embassies of some of the countries who send most workers to Saudi Arabia. Our embassy encouraged further work to be taken forward as a result of the conference.

Mobile Phone Providers

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what charges are made by mobile phone network providers for providing information to the police on location and incoming and outgoing calls on mobile phones removed during night-time dwelling burglaries.

Baroness Rawlings: Information as to the calls made from a mobile phone would be made available to the subscriber in the normal way if he/she receives an itemised bill. Charges for such services, and for location information where that is available, would be a commercial matter for the provider.

Palestine

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of torture of female Palestinian journalists by Hamas on 27 March.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are not aware of such reports on 27 March 2011. However, on 30 March 2011 there was a protest in Gaza calling for an end to Palestinian disunity. There are allegations that Hamas security forces used force against the protesters and journalists covering the events.
	As my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Alistair Burt, said in his statement of 21 March 2011:
	"I condemn the barrage of mortars on southern Israel from Gaza in recent days. The indiscriminate targeting of Israeli citizens, as they celebrated the Jewish festival of Purim, is unacceptable. The firing of over 50 mortars in the space of a few hours, as well as a Grad rocket on Ashkelon that caused injury and damage, signals a further, worrying escalation in the situation at a time when international efforts are focused on getting Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. Hamas must halt these strikes immediately, and rein in other militant factions in Gaza.
	These attacks come against the backdrop of last week's footage of Hamas security forces assaulting students and other peaceful demonstrators in Gaza. Over the weekend Hamas also targeted local and foreign media organisations. The people of Gaza, like the people across the region, have an absolute right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Hamas should not think that while the attention of the world is elsewhere we will turn a blind eye to their actions".

Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of proposals for a unified Palestinian negotiating team or a similar interim government.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We look forward to President Abbas forming a Government soon, in time for elections called for September. We support the principles of a unified Palestinian leadership, committed to a negotiated peace, and call on Hamas to take immediate and concrete steps towards the quartet principles.
	We continue to call for both parties to return urgently to negotiations based on clear parameters.

Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken or will take to foster democracy in the Occupied Territories of Palestine.

Lord Howell of Guildford: President Abbas has made it clear that he wishes elections to take place by September this year in the whole of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It is for Hamas to now respond positively to President Abbas's initiative. The Palestinian people deserve to have their voices heard as much as any other in the region.

Railways: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money was received and paid out under rail franchise cap and collar revenue support and share systems, in 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10; and what are the projected figures for 2010-11.

Earl Attlee: Train operating company (TOC) revenue support under the rail franchise cap and collar revenue support system are computed each period and paid in arrears.
	Payments for all franchised TOCs from 2006:
	
		
			 Year 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 Revenue support £3.4 million £ Nil £61.8 million £290.9 million 
		
	
	TOC Revenue share under the rail franchise cap and collar revenue share system are computed and demanded following the receipt of TOC audited accounts for relevant rail year.
	Receipts from all franchised TOCs from 2006:
	
		
			 Year 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 Revenue share £55.2 million £47.6 million £14.5 million £10.8 million 
		
	
	The Department for Transport's internal projections of spending and receipts under this regime for 2010-11 and beyond cannot be published as they are commercially sensitive. Actual figures will be available after the end of the financial year once they have been audited.
	Furthermore the increased payment in revenue support under the cap and collar regime between 2008-09 and 2009-10 can be explained by two factors:
	impact of the recession on rail travel; andincrease in the number of TOCs claiming support (now four TOCs, initially two TOCs in 2008-09).
	
		
			 TOCs Total 
			 2009-10 £290.9 million 
			 2008-09 £61.8 million 
		
	
	Movement £229.1 million

Republic of Ireland: Celebrations

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 15 February (WA 152), why they have not made representations to the Government of the Republic of Ireland about official celebrations of incidents such as the murders at Glenwood in County Clare in 1921.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In the example given, of the event that took place at Glenwood in County Clare on 23 January 2011, we ascertained that it was a local initiative arranged by the local community. Therefore, no formal representations to the Irish Government were considered appropriate.

Sudan

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will give North and south Sudan in the reorganisation of their Armed Forces following the independence of south Sudan on 9 July.

Lord Astor of Hever: The UK is committed to its relations with north and south Sudan and will work with both Governments to promote peace and stability. This will include working to improve the accountability of their Armed Forces.
	We hope to provide advice and training to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army. This will include: support to outstanding security negotiations being led by the African Union High Level Panel; bilateral initiatives to develop an understanding of international humanitarian law; and methods to counter potential corruption within senior leadership and management of defence programmes, in parallel to a programme of English language training. This will draw on expertise from, and participation with, the United Kingdom Defence Academy and the British Council.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Turkey to Arbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK strongly supports a close relationship between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Regional Government. In this context, we welcome Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Erbil, the first by a Turkish Prime Minister. We understand that the discussions focussed on improving co-operation on economic, political, security and energy issues. Close co-operation between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government on these issues can make an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of Iraq. We encourage both sides to continue to deepen their relations.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the four demands for reform recently made by the Democratic Society Party of Turkey.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made such an assessment. The Government and the EU Commission regularly discuss with Turkey the political reforms required for the EU accession process. However, the Government believes that it is for the Government of Turkey to decide upon amendments to their own constitution.

Vietnam

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Vietnam about the sentence imposed on Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government were concerned by both the process and the outcome of Mr Cu Huy Vu's trial. Our ambassador to Vietnam raised Mr Vu's case with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 April. EU Heads of Mission in Vietnam made a statement on 7 April expressing their regret and deep concern about Mr Vu's trial.

Western Sahara

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 25 November (Official Report, col. 1166), whether, during the United Kingdom Presidency of the Security Council, any progress has been made in establishing a mechanism for monitoring human rights in the Western Sahara.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We circulated a non-paper on human rights monitoring options to the parties to the conflict in September 2010, with the support of the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Ambassador Christopher Ross.
	In January 2011, Morocco presented proposals for a domestic monitoring mechanism in response. We are considering these proposals carefully in advance of discussions at the Security Council on the rollover of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)'s mandate.

Yemen

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the President of Yemen regarding his future as President of that country.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK Government and its officials in San'a have been in constant contact with senior Government of Yemen figures, including with the President, during the course of the current crisis. We continue to watch developments closely. Large numbers of Yemenis have given a clear indication to the Government of Yemen that they want change: political reform, greater employment opportunities and an end to corruption. The President has accepted that it is time for him to go, but has publicly stated his intention to remain in power until the end of 2011. The position of the protestors and the official opposition is that President Saleh should immediately relinquish his authority to others and stand down. We have strongly urged all parties to act with restraint, avoid resorting to violence and to urgently engage in constructive dialogue to reach a peaceful transition. It is for the Yemeni people to reach agreement on their political future. But we strongly believe that the process of political transition should start now.

Zimbabwe

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government in Zimbabwe about the treatment of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Officials in Harare regularly attend and monitor court cases and have close contact with non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations in Zimbabwe including Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA).
	We call regularly, both bilaterally and with EU member states, for an end to all such abuses and the restoration of internationally accepted human rights standards in Zimbabwe. Our ambassador issued a statement on 25 March 2011 calling for the culture of impunity and state-sponsored abuses to be addressed.